Brindabella Natural Health Centre Therapies

Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils to enhance relaxation and wellbeing. Whilst oils are not a medicine, they have a therapeutic quality when applied correctly helping the body and being to regain balance. At Brindabella Natural Health Centre we offer aromatherapy relaxation massage, using doTerra essential oils.

Aromtherapy massage is relaxation massage with a selection of essential oils blended specifically for you.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils obtained from natural plant extracts.

Aromatherapy originates from an ancient therapy and forms a modern science in its own right. Sadly there are cheap imitations or poorly produced versions using the term ‘Aromatherapy’, commonly found on supermarket shelves or markets and must not be confused with the therapeutic work of a qualified Aromatherapist.

Qualified therapists may use essential oils to assist ailments internally, externally and vibrationally. A qualified therapist can customise a remedy adjusting the application to meet individual requirements.

What can Aromatherapy do for you?

Aromatherapy can help support a variety of conditions and help manage symptoms. They may assist with:

Aromatherapy and ancient history

For thousands of years, natural plant oils have been used for medicinal purposes, cosmetic application and food preparation.
Aromatherapy using infused oils was commonly implemented throughout ancient civilizations forming part of medical and therapeutic applications.

Australian aboriginal people have had a continuous tradition for 40,000 years, using the natural healing properties of Tea Tree oil.
Aromatherapy was often associated with ritual and religious ceremonies as well as used as medicine in the ancient civilizations of India and Asia.

Exotic perfumes where traded from the Middle East often as a result of the relentless crusades throughout the middle Ages. Floral waters became popular in Europe during this time.

The ancient Persians perfected the art of distillation becoming accomplished practitioners of aromatic medicine. The physician and scholar, Avicenna (AD 980-1037) wrote many books on the healing arts, including the use of essential oils and aromatherapy

Consolidated writing was initiated by notable herbalists such as John Gerarde and Nicholas Culpeper as they documented medicinal plants in Pharmacopeas.

Essential oils were used almost exclusively reserved for the food, cosmetic and perfume industry as more constituents became synthesised.

In 1928, the French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, popularised the powerful healing qualities of essential oils, specifically lavender following the burning of his hand in a laboratory accident.

Army Surgeon, Jean Valnet, continued with Gattefosse’s work utelising essential oils in the treatment of burns and battle wounds during war. Up until the 2nd World War, Lemon and Thyme oils were used to sterilise surgical instruments.

Doctor Valnet’s classic text, “Aromatherapie” translated into English as “The Practice of Aromatherapy” has been re-printed 9 times and is considered by many as the Aromatherapist’s bible.

The first book to be written in English on the subject, “The Art of Aromatherapy” by Robert Tisserand was not until 1977.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the “life blood” of plants and the corner stone of Aromatherapy.

They are extracted from various parts of a plant, for example lavender essential oil is produced by distilling the plant’s flowering tops; citrus oils are expressed (or squeezed) from the rind of the fruit; and sandalwood is distilled from the wood of the tree. Other essential oils are extracted from the leaves, seeds, roots or resin of a plant.

Essential oils are usually liquid at room temperature and although they will evaporate on contact with air, the volatility of essential oils varies from one oil to another.

These dynamic and chemically complex substances all posses a vibrant quality and distinctive fragrance, which may vary from year to year and according to the geographical location, harvesting and extraction process used in their manufacture.

In spite of their name, essential oils are non-oily, soluble in fats, such as carrier oils, but will not readily dissolve in water. Pure essential oils can be up to 70 times more concentrated than the original plant source and absorption into the bloodstream commences within a fraction of a second of application.

Many factors need to be considered when utilising the healing properties of essential oils. They are potent chemicals and therefore should be used sparingly and with care.

Pure essential oils should not be confused with fragrance oils which are synthetic copies of the real thing and have no therapeutic value.

Cost is a good indication of essential oil quality and prices will vary depending on the quantity of raw plant material required for production of an oil. For example, it is necessary to have approximately 2-5 tonnes of rose petals to produce one kilogram of essential oil, making it one of the most expensive, and only 200 kilograms of lavender flowers to produce one kilogram of oil.

Carrier Oils

In Australia, one of the most common methods of administering essential oils is through massage.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and it is therefore necessary to dilute them in a “carrier’ prior to application to the body. Using a carrier also allows even distribution of the essential oils over a broad surface as well as facilitating absorption.

Vegetable and nut oils are the most common carriers used in massage, but essential oils also mix readily in other substances such as alcohol, soap, honey, milk and egg white – for application other than massage, such as bathing.

Carrier oils could be more corrected termed “base” oils, as they are rich in nutrients and add their own unique qualities to the massage bland, enhancing the treatment benefits.

The most familiar carrier oil for massage is sweet almond oil which is suitable for all skin types and may benefit itchy skin conditions such as eczema .

Lesser known oils such as rich, velvety avocado oil, can be added to a lighter oil to treat parched, undernourished skin; or jojoba, not an oil at all, but a liquid wax, can be added to treat acne prone or oily skin conditions.

Like essential oils, these carrier oils have a shelf life and should be stored in dark containers, in a cool, stable environment.

Mineral oils are not suitable for Aromatherapy treatments.

Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy aims to promote and maintain health, and prevent dis-ease in body, mind and spirit.

Professional Aromatherapists are skilled and highly trained health practitioners who posses an extensive knowledge of up to 100 different essential oils and know the best method of application, to ensure safe, effective treatment outcomes, tailored to individual needs.

Volatile essential oils enter the body during inhalation via the millions of scent-sensitive (olfactory) cells lining the nose or through the skin, as in massage or water treatments.

In halation is particularly effective in treating emotional, mental and hormonal disorders as our sense of smell is linked directly to the part of the brain which regulates mood and triggers the release of chemicals to help regulate and balance hormones, stimulate or relax, assist memory and creativity.

Aromatherapy massage is designed to maximise the benefits of essential oils by using a combination of different movements and techniques such as lymphatic drainage which facilities and assists the elimination of toxins, and Swedish massage techniques that improve circulation, increase mobility and reduces pain.

Working on many levels simultaneously, Aromatherapy massage is very relaxing and eases stress and tension in the body and mind. It promotes healthy sleep patterns and can be extremely effective in treating emotional imbalance, including depression.

The unique and complex combination of chemicals in the individual essential oils are transported throughout the body via the bloodstream, enhancing the body’s own healing mechanisms and then eliminated without leaving harmful residue or creating unwelcome side affects.

Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils to enhance relaxation and wellbeing. Whilst oils are not a medicine, they have a therapeutic quality when applied correctly helping the body and being to regain balance. At Brindabella Natural Health Centre we offer aromatherapy relaxation massage, AromaTouch® technique using doTerra essential oils.

Aromtherapy massage is relaxation massage with a selection of essential oils blended specifically for you.

AromaTouch® technique is a clinical application of oils to help the body’s immunity, relaxation and health returning it to homoeostasis. To find out more click here.

We also offer relaxation massage to support your wellbeing. Relaxation massage works specifically on settling your nervous system, rebalancing your energies, helping you reconnect with your most in tune, relaxed, and strong self.

Contact us to find out more!

NOTE: Not all oils are suitable for all people. If you have any medical conditions we will only use appropriate oils.

We also offer relaxation massage to support your wellbeing. Relaxation massage works specifically on settling your nervous system, rebalancing your energies, helping you reconnect with your most in tune, relaxed, and strong self.

Contact us to find out more!

NOTE: Not all oils are suitable for all people. If you have any medical conditions we will only use appropriate oils.

Brindabella Natural Health Centre is located in Canberra. Please click here to make an appointment